Environment Protection Authority Victoria (EPA) has fined Wyndham City Council more than $7500 for failing to ensure methane gas emissions levels at its Werribee landfill site remained within best practice guidelines.
EPA Specialist Regulatory Services Manager, Steve Lansdell said EPA issued council with a Pollution Abatement Notice (PAN) in May last year requiring it implement capping measures to reduce landfill gas emissions at the site.
However, an EPA inspection to follow up on compliance found the council had not reduced emissions enough to prevent surface discharges exceeding best practice guideline levels.
The council was subsequently fined $7,584 for failing to comply with the notice, which is in breach of section 31(A)(7) of the Environment Protection Act 1970.
Mr Lansdell said the gas levels detected did not pose any risk to local residents, however the council had a responsibility to control risks at the landfill site and comply with the requirements of the PAN.
“EPA guidelines are in place to better protect human health and the environment with regards to landfill sites and ensure community safety.
“Landfills are a necessary resource for every community and EPA will continue to ensure operators comply with our guidelines and licences or face regulatory action.”
Mr Lansdell said it was the second time in two months EPA had fined the council over failing to meet notice requirements relating to the landfill.
In July 2015, the council was fined $7,584 for failing to comply with a condition of its licence that requires it properly cover waste within the landfill.
“EPA will continue to monitor surface emissions at the tip site and will issue a follow-up notice to ensure further works are undertaken by the council and they are complying with the guidelines,” Mr Lansdell said.